Is your defective Chevrolet Silverado 1500 actually a LEMON?

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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,581 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #70

Jan 012025

Silverado 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle is shuttering while driving, vibrating at different speeds and it feels like the wheels are locking.

- Palm Harbor , FL, USA

problem #69

Jan 142025

Silverado 1500

  • miles
Vehicle has less than 35k miles. Vehicle started and operated normally Attempted to turn onto main thoroughfare from a stop. While still in drive, vehicle engine rev-??d up but transmission did not engage. Attempted to cycle through gear selector with same result. Reverse is the only gear that allowed vehicle movement. Serious safety concern if this were to happen while traveling at any significant speed or if trying to merge or cross heavy traffic. Vehicle has not had an official diagnosis, but I believe this is a transmission valve body problem known to the manufacturer. There was no indication prior to this event of any mechanical or electrical problems with the vehicle. This issue could easily get someone killed.

- Isabela, PR, USA

problem #68

Sep 112023

Silverado 1500

  • miles
The 8-speed automatic transmission (8L90) has been failing. It has put me in my passengers safety at risk because my truck can lurch forward without warning due to delayed downshifting and RPM surge. Yes, the dealership has confirmed this issue multiple times. The component has been inspected by the dealership multiple times. Yes, check engine light came on and yes there was symptoms before the failure such as lurching jerking, surging harsh and erratic shifting. They first appeared at 55,000, MI. It continues to happen to this day. I have an appointment scheduled for today at 9:20 a.m. for the dealership to look at it again but this is a legitimate concern.

- South Jordan, UT, USA

problem #67

Aug 032024

Silverado 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When putting vehicle in PARK and releasing the foot brake it rolls back an excessive amount of space sometimes it rolls back so much we begin to get scared thinking we are still in DRIVE and jump back in vehicle just to learn we are in PARK. We have had this issue since the day of getting truck in August of 2024 and how much it rolls back is never consistent on the length of the roll back. Sometimes it feels like it make even slip out of gear and just keeping rolling. It-??s very scary and we have almost knocked ourselves out when it happens trying to jump back in to stop it.

- Miami, OK, USA

problem #66

Jan 062025

Silverado 1500

  • miles
On January 6 and 7, 2025, the broken transmission valve body was subjected to inspection by a Chevrolet dealership. The vehicle exhibited faulty gear shifts, which resulted in reduced speeds and triggered the activation of "limp mode." This malfunction occurred while driving under severe winter storm conditions, posing a potential risk for serious injury. The issue was methodically diagnosed and documented for parts replacement. Furthermore, the transmission service indicator activated via the associated application, and the check engine light illuminated alongside a blinking "D" mode indicator at the time the warning lights were activated. The initial signs and symptoms of the issue were first observed at 11:00 PM on January 5, 2025.

- Laurel, MD, USA

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problem #65

Dec 052024

Silverado 1500

  • miles
Valve body went out at 52,000 miles and was replaced under warranty. Went out again at 104,000 miles, has been at dealer for a month now waiting on part that is unavailable

- Rittman, OH, USA

problem #64

Dec 052024

Silverado 1500

  • 61,200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and shifted into another unknown gear independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission torque converter and the valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure when a case was opened and escalated the matter to a higher supervisor. The failure mileage was 61,200.

- Daytona Beach, FL, USA

problem #63

Mar 012024

Silverado 1500

  • miles
The transmission in this truck has been an issue since it had 50k miles on it. It doesn-??t shift correctly or smooth at all. It shifts hard, slow to engage, studders, jerks, pops without any load. This is my second 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with same issue except it needed transmission replaced and didn-??t know when they-??d get another transmission in as they-??re on backorder and these are work truck and can-??t be down long - dealer said this is a common issue with these trucks - so I got rid of that one. If the dealers know this is a common issues and attorneys are sending letter for class action lawsuit against GM this should tell you something- recall them! No lights have ever come on with any warning on either truck.

- Northlake , TX, USA

problem #62

Nov 142024

Silverado 1500

  • miles
Open recall with no remedy. Called GM and they cannot give me any timeframe as far as when a fix will be available. GM has proposed changing the software to limit the truck to fifth gear if excessive wear of the valve is detected but that is not a fix for the issue and they cannot even give a timeframe for that or what they will do to remedy the issue when there is excessive wear. The issue can cause the rear wheels to lock up while driving and is a major safety issue compounded with winter driving conditions yet GM cannot provide any information. I cannot even replace the vehicle as the vehicle cannot be sold in my state of Missouri with an open recall.

- Centralia, MO, USA

problem #61

Dec 022024

Silverado 1500

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver and the rear wheels were intermittently inoperable with the transmission experiencing hard downshifting. The failure occurred on several occasions. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The contact researched and was made aware of an undisclosed NHTSA Campaign; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

problem #60

Dec 022024

Silverado 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

MY Windshield wipers stop working on low and high and from time to time my vehicle will not go in reverse. when it does finally go in reverse it's a very hard jerk, also when I'm driving it gets a drag an acts like it wants to stop going. It happens frequently and it has been going on for months.

- Rex, GA, USA

problem #59

Nov 162024

Silverado 1500

  • miles
UNKNOWN - The truck began jerking/braking on its own while driving last week. I took it to a local transmission shop where it has sat for the past week as they said the transmission control module/tcm needs to be replaced but the part needed is on back order. This issue sounds similar to the recent transmission recall (N242454440) though our vin does not show there to be a recall on our exact vehicle. Our truck meets the specifications of the recall and having it inoperable has placed a hardship on my family. How can I get it fixed under this recall at a local GM dealer?

- Midlothian, TX, USA

problem #58

Jun 032024

Silverado 1500

  • miles
Transmission failed. Safety was put at risk for me and others, truck started jerking. The problem has been confirmed by a dealer and has been at a dealership since June 2024, it is now almost December 2024. They were waiting on a new transmission to come in due to these transmissions were put on back order. There were no warning lamps or messages on dash. The truck just started jerking while driving and it was very unsafe to drive. We had to have truck towed to dealership.

- Buna, TX, USA

problem #57

Aug 212024

Silverado 1500

  • miles
Transmission issues such as vibration/grinding, delayed shifting, rough shifting, clunking noises when changing gears, jerking sensations, vehicle is available for inspection. The transmission control valve may fail, causing the rear wheels to lock up. Transmission was inspected, Dealer claimed Torque converter issue and replaced that part, however, ISSUE still exists and Dealer claims that at the 2nd inspection, it was the tires giving me the rough shifting and vibration/griding I feel when driving. No warning messages, just continued vibration that turned into grinding at it continues to get worse. Issue started at 55K miles, truck currently has 60K miles, torque converter was replaced at 58K miles. The issues seems to be the same as the current GMC Diesel transmission recall. This recall SHOULD pertain the Gas Transmissions for the same year vehicles.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #56

Apr 022024

Silverado 1500

  • miles
The transmission jerks from time and time. There is a lag between shifting and first and second gear

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #55

Oct 292024

Silverado 1500

  • miles
My truck has less than 50,000 miles on it and the transmission feels has if it's shifting hard and shuttering during the cycles of first to third. I do not see that my truck has a recall, but if there is a problem with my trucks transmission, then I need to have it looked at before the 60, 000 or 5 year warranty expires. Can I just take it to a Chevy dealership and have this inspected at NO CHARGE to me?

- Galesburg, MI, USA

problem #54

Aug 052024

Silverado 1500

  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH and passing another vehicle, the rear wheels inadvertently locked-up momentarily, causing the vehicle to momentarily shudder and to downshift to second gear while the RMPS revved significantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer replaced the knock sensor; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the failure recurred while the vehicle was being test-driven; however, the dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact later became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V097000(Power Train), which the contact related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Waco, GA, USA

problem #53

Oct 022024

Silverado 1500

  • miles
Vehicle began to lose power on the highway almost causing a collision due to the low speeds I had to travel. My vehicle was taken to a local Chevrolet Dealership and was told I had bad lifters and a bent rod. I was told this is a common issue with newer mold Chevrolet Silverado-??s.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #52

Oct 182024

Silverado 1500

  • miles
When I started my truck in the morning a group of warning lights came on. This included check engine, ECS control, Parking Brake service I took truck to dealer that said I had bad or broken lifter in cylinder # 6.

- Andover, NJ, USA

problem #51

Oct 072024

Silverado 1500

  • miles
Fuel pump module failure while driving causing vehicle to stop abruptly while driving at highway speeds.

- Diana, TX, USA

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